Crutch tip



Patented July 9, 1946 UNITED: STATES PAT ORUTCH' TIP- Leo'L. Bmwn,Harlingen, Tex.

Application January 5, 1945, Serial No: 571,467

Claims.

1. This: invention is directed tocrutch tips and has for its. ultimateobject the provision of a simple and; rugged crutch tip structurewhichsimulates a. universal joint action. with respect to: the. crutchlegwithout necessitating thecomplicated; and; cumbersome. universalxjointstructures" usually employed for. the purpose.

Among other objects of the present invention is. theaprovision of aguard for the crutch tip whereby weeds, string, and the like areprevented from engaging the joint between the crutch tip and leg,thereby to prevent a fouling or entangling of the joint which otherwisemight trip the user of the crutch and cause severe injury to him asresult of the fall.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention are those inherentin or implied from the novel construction, combination, and arrangementof parts to be described in greater detail as the description proceeds,reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the crutch tip structure according toa preferred embodiment of the invention, the crutch tip being shownattached to a portion of a crutch tip.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View ofthe crutch tip as seen alongthe line 2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the crutch tip taken along theline 33 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the crutch tip.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral designates the lower extremityof a crutch, cane, or the like, to which the crutch tip tructure,generally designated II, is attached in a manner to be subsequentlydescribed herein.

The crutch tip structure ll comprises a shallow cup-shaped Washer I2adapted to receive interfittingly therewith the rubber tip or pad l3,the pad being additionall secured to the washer by being vulcanizedthereto, for example, or by use of the rivets or anchors M, or otherwisesecured thereto in any suitable fashion. It will be understood that thetip or pad l3 may be composed of any conventional-material suitable forthe purpose such, for example, as rubber or rubber fabric, andpreferably is provided on the lower face or contacting surface thereofwith an annular groove [5 whereby slippage on the contacted surface isprevented as pressure is applied to the crutch or cane, whichever thecase may Pad I3 is additionally provided with a central 2; opening orbore f6, which terminates in a restricted opening H, to receive a" screw[8 by means of which the crutch tip structure is attached to the legIll, Washer l2 being provided with a. central opening l9 to permitfreepassage ofthe. screw tl-ierethrough whereby thescrewmay move: freelywith respect to the Washer' as relative movement occurs between thewasher and the crutch leg. F The washer is normally yieldably urged intoengagement with the end of leg II] by means of the coil spring 20interposed between the head of the screw I8 and the shoulder 2| providedbetween openings [6 and I! in pad l3. Thus, by reason of thisarrangement, the leg I0 i permitted to rock or pivot in any direction onthe washer I2 against the biasing or restoring action of coil spring 20,thereby simulating a universal joint action between the leg l0 and thecrutch tip structure II, the end of the leg preferably being rounded asat 22 to facilitate this action. An important advantage of thisarrangement will be appreciated when it is considered that substantiallyall of the wear in the tip structure I! by reason of the universalaction provided thereby occurs between the leg I!) and washer l2 and,accordingly prevents premature wearing of the pad [3.

In order to prevent string, grass, weeds, wires, and the like fromworking between th leg 10 and washer I2, a guard comprising a ring 23and upright supports 24 therefor are provided, the supports also servingto maintain the ring in fixed spaced relation with respect to the washerI2. It will be understood that the guard may be provided in anyconvenient manner suitable for the purpose but preferably is formedintegrally with the washer, substantially as shown. 1

From the foregoing, it should now be appar ent that I have provided acrutch tip structure which is characterized by its simplicity ofconstruction, ease of attachment to conventional crutches, canes, andthe like, and its reliability and serviceability in use.

While the invention has been described in particularity with respect toan embodiment thereof which gives satsifactory results, other embodi-,ments will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and it is myintention, therefore, to cover the full range of equivalentscommensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention as defined inthe appended claims.

I claim as my invention: 1. A crutch tip of the character disclosed forattachment to a crutch leg prising, in combi- 3 nation, a resilient tipor pad, a cup-shaped washer for receiving said pad interfittinglytherewith and disposed adjacent to said crutch leg, a screw having ahead for attaching said pad and tip to said crutch leg. and a coilspring interposed between said screw head and said pad whereby saidcrutch leg, and means including a screw and spring for yieldably urgingsaid washer into engagement with th end of said crutch leg wherebyrelative movement simulating a universal action is providedtherebetwee'n as the crutch pivots on the washer.

3. A crutch tip of the character disclosed for attachment to a crutchleg comprising, in combination, a resilient tip or pad, a cup-shapedwasher for receiving said pad interfittingly therewith and providinglimited pivotal connection with said crutch leg, means including a screwand spring for yieldably urging said washer into engagement with the endof said crutch leg whereby relative movement simulating a universalaction is provided therebetween as the crutch pivots on the washer, andguard means carried by said washer and disposed adjacent to theconnection between said washer and crutch leg for preventing string,weeds and the like from working therebetween.

4. A crutch tip of the character disclosed for attachment to a crutchleg comprising, in combination, a resilient pad, a cup-shaped washer forreceiving said pad interfittingly therewith and providing limitedpivotal connection, means for securing said pad to said washer, a screwattachment for connecting said pad and washer to said crutch leg andadapted to simulate a universal joint connection therebetween, and meansfor yieldably urging the pad and washer into a normal position as thecrutch leg pivots with respect to the washer.

5. A crutch tip of the character disclosed for attachment to a crutchleg comprising, in combination, a resilient pad having a central recessformed in the contacting surface thereof and providing limited pivotalconnection, a retainer for said pad, a screw attachment for connectingsaid retainer to said crutch .leg and adapted to simulate a universaljoint connection therebetween, and means for yieldably urging theretainer into a normal position with respect to the crutch leg asrelative movement occurs therebetween.

LEO L. BROWN.

